Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Equipment:
· main and reserve air supplies
· breathing apparatus:
· demand type (band mask and helmet)
· free-flow type
· diver's clothing
· weights, fins and masks
· buoyancy compensator
· safety harness
· depth-measuring instruments
· diving watch
· shot-line
· umbilicals
· gauges
· surface-supply panel
· communication systems:
· topside and diver
· power supply
· tape recorders and tapes
· catch bags
· SCUBA.

Operation:
· collecting sea animals:
· pearls
· abalone
· molluscs
· beche-de-mer
· crayfish
· sea urchins
· broodstock
· ornamental fish
· tending aquaculture animals
· installing, servicing and maintaining ponds, farm environment, cages and associated equipment
· retrieving lost tools and equipment
· collecting dead stock
· eradicating predators
· from a beach
· from a vessel
· from a jetty.

Person in charge:
· team dive
· single person dive
· dive supervisor.

Protective clothing:
Exposure suits:
· wet
· dry
· warmed.

Tools:
· knives
· screwdrivers
· shifting spanners
· open and ring spanners
· shackle spanners
· hammers
· hacksaws
· cold chisels
· files
· netting needles.

Guidelines:
· Australian occupational dive standards
· Australian Dive Accreditation System
· codes of practice
· Occupational Health and Safety codes of practice and regulations
· other regulations relevant to the type of diving operation and area of activity.

Decompression procedures:
· ascent rate
· safety stops
· surface interval
· repetitive group
· flight time exclusion.

Communication:
· voice
· lifeline signals
· hand signals
· slate.

Work relationships:
· other divers
· surface support team
· vessel crew.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The underpinning knowledge identified for this unit is comprehensive due to its likely inclusion in a group of units that may be used as the basis for the issue of licences by regulatory bodies.

The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· minimum equipment required for a SCUBA diving operation
· various SCUBA configurations and key features
· function and operating method of each item used in a SCUBA diving operation
· function and regulation of main and reserve air supplies
· pressure values for different depths and awareness of pneumofathometer
· testing, connection and maintenance procedures for SCUBA
· common equipment faults and consequences of incorrect equipment use
· correct dressing and undressing sequence for equipment used in a SCUBA diving operation
· methods to enter and exit the water
· possible hazards associated with a SCUBA diving operation and precautions to reduce risk
· diving physiology principles and appropriate medicine for SCUBA diving operations
· principles of underwater communication systems
· decompression principles, tables and procedures
· legal and regulatory procedures and requirements.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· checking and preparing equipment for a SCUBA diving operation
· dressing correctly for the type and duration of the diving operation prior to entering the water
· preparing a dive plan checklist and risk assessment
· entering and exiting the water under various situations
· diving in open water to a maximum depth of 30 metres using SCUBA and using:
· appropriate operational techniques for the prevailing conditions
· correct breathing techniques for the duration of the dive
· correct techniques and rates for descent and ascent
· using correct decompression procedures
· providing tender duties to another diver by:
· assisting diver safely into and out of the water
· monitoring diver's equipment and condition
· establishing and maintaining effective communication using:
· hand and line signals
· voice communication systems
· correct voice procedures and the phonetic alphabet
· undressing correctly on completion of a SCUBA diving operation
· assisting another diver to undress whilst following the correct procedures
· carrying out post-dive equipment checks
· decontaminating and cleaning all equipment and storing it correctly.

Literacy skills used for:
· reading regulations and industry guidelines
· reading dive tables
· keeping records
· reading the diver's first aid literature
· following an emergency action plan
· completing 'dive accident medical information' forms.

Numeracy skills used for:
· making calculations involving pressure, volume and temperature relationships
· using decompression information while underwater.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· complete pre-dive preparations for occupational diving operations
· dress correctly for SCUBA diving operations and undress correctly at completion of a dive
· operate SCUBA while in the water
· undertake a dive in open water to a maximum depth of 30 metres using SCUBA
· use decompression principles, tables and procedures
· perform tender duties for a diver
· carry out post-dive equipment checks
· maintain and store equipment correctly
· use:
· main and reserve air supplies
· diver's clothing
· weights, fins and masks
· depth-measuring instruments
· diving watch
· umbilicals
· gauges
· communication systems.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· anatomy, diving physics and physiology principles
· pre-dive and post-dive procedures
· diving equipment operating procedures:
· hazards associated with SCUBA diving operations
· diving-related medical conditions and their treatments.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
· No recommendations.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· observation of open-water practical demonstration
· written or oral short answer testing
· practical exercises.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· suitable diving environment
· diving equipment for SCUBA diving operations as listed in the range of variables.